Deciding what to buy
Maintenance and ongoing effort
What you're likely responsible for, by property type, once you own it — and how to form a realistic picture before you buy.
- A house owner is generally responsible for all maintenance, with no one to share the cost.
- An owners corporation typically covers building structure and common areas; your own lot's interior remains your responsibility either way.
- Check the age of major systems and shared building elements before assuming maintenance will be minimal.
Responsibility varies by property type
A house owner is generally responsible for every maintenance item on the property — roof, gutters, gardens, fencing, exterior — with no one to share the cost. An owners corporation typically covers building structure, common areas and shared systems (lifts, common gardens), funded by fees from every lot owner; your own lot's interior generally remains your responsibility either way. Exactly where the line falls depends on the specific plan of subdivision — see the owners corporations guide.
Building a realistic picture
Before buying, it's worth forming a realistic view of likely ongoing maintenance: the age and condition of major systems (roof, hot water, heating/cooling), whether a garden or pool adds ongoing effort and cost, and — for an owners corporation — whether the building's shared systems (lifts, facades, waterproofing) are ageing toward a major, expensive repair.
Practical checklist
Assessing likely maintenance
- Check the age and condition of major systems — roof, hot water, heating/cooling
- For an owners corporation, check whether shared systems are ageing toward a major repair
- Factor a genuine ongoing maintenance budget into your total cost of ownership
Relevant Delora tool
Questions for a professional
- What major maintenance items would you expect this property to need in the next five years?